Gulf Grouper

Gulf of Mexico Grouper Management

**NEW** Gag Grouper Commission Update:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission set the 2013 recreational gag grouper season in Gulf of Mexico state waters at the Feb. 13 meeting in Orlando.

• The recreational open season for most state waters will start July 1 and end Dec. 3.
• State waters off of Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties including all waters of Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass, including those in Gulf County, and all waters of the Steinhatchee River, including those in Dixie County will have an open season of April 1 through June 30. This area of state waters will be closed to recreational gag grouper harvest during the July 1-Dec. 3 season.

For more information, visit the Gulf gag grouper frequently asked questions page.

Current Gulf State Recreational Grouper Regulations

State and Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Except All State Waters of Monroe County)

*Note: Gear rules require circle hooks, dehooking and venting tools to be used in the Gulf reef fish fisheries.

GPS Boundaries: Taylor-Franklin Regional Season

Anglers targeting gag grouper in state waters in Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties can keep their bag limit from April 1 through June 30. This opening also includes all waters of the Steinhatchee River, including those in Dixie County, and all waters of Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass, including those in Gulf County. The shaded areas represent what will be open to recreational gag grouper harvest between April 1 and June 30

Pictured above is the western boundary of the April 1-June 30 gag grouper recreational harvest.

Pictured above is the eastern boundary of the April 1-June 30 gag grouper recreational harvest season.

For more information:

• Atlantic Grouper
• State Reef Fish Rule, 68B-14, F.A.C.
• Federal Code of Regulations

Recent Gag Grouper Management History:

• 2009 - Stock assessment update indicates Gulf of Mexico gag grouper are overfished and undergoing overfishing, which means more fish are being removed from the water and there are not enough fish in the water for populations to remain sustainable.
• In response, NOAA Fisheries Service prohibits the recreational harvest of gag grouper in Gulf of Mexico federal waters from January 1 through May 31, 2011, as part of an interim rule.
• Feb. 2011 - Federal closure is extended through the end of 2011 with the exception of a Sept. 16 through Nov. 15 recreational open season.
• April 2011 - FWC Commissioners decide to close state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, excluding Monroe County, to the recreational harvest of gag grouper from June 1 through Dec. 31, 2011, with the exception of a fall harvest season Sept. 16 through Nov. 15, 2011.
• Aug. 2011 - Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) takes final action to set long-term management measures for gag grouper in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. These measures include:

  • Set the recreational gag grouper harvest season to July 1 through Oct. 31 for Gulf federal waters
  • Reduce the commercial gag grouper size limit from 24" to 22" total length (TL)
• Nov. 2011 - NOAA Fisheries extends the federal closure through June 2, 2012.
• Nov. 2011 - FWC Commissioners continue the gag grouper closure in state waters through January 31, 2012. The fishery closes annually during February and March.
• Feb. 2012 - FWC Commissioners adopt new management measures for Gulf of Mexico gag grouper including setting the recreational open season from July 1 through Oct. 31 and lowering the minimum commercial size limit from 24 inches to 22 inches total length. The Commission also votes to approve an April 1, 2012, through June 30, 2012, gag grouper harvest season for state waters off Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties, including Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass. This area of state waters will be closed to recreational gag grouper harvest for the remainder of the year.
• Dec. 2012 - FWC Commissioners approve a draft rule with proposed 2013 Gulf of Mexico gag grouper recreational seasons for state waters. Proposed seasons include a season that starts July 1 for most state waters and ends when the federal season is projected to end. The federal season end will be finalized in Spring 2013, and will end with the annual catch target is projected to be met (sometime in mid-November/early December). State waters off the counties of Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin will be excluded from this opening. Instead, this four county region will open April 1 through June 30.
• Feb. 2013 - FWC Commissioners set the 2013 Gulf of Mexico gag grouper recreational seasons for state waters to be open from July 1 through Dec. 3. State waters off the counties of Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin are excluded from this opening. Instead, this four county region will open April 1 through June 30.

For more information:

• FWC News Release - February 2013 Commission meeting
• Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council website
• NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website